What is primary succession?

Primary succession refers specifically to the development of ecosystems in areas that have not previously been inhabited or where the soil has been completely removed, such as after a volcanic eruption or the retreat of a glacier. During this process, life gradually establishes itself from bare rock or uncolonized substrate.

Initially, pioneer species such as lichens and mosses colonize these barren environments, breaking down the rock into soil over time, which allows for the establishment of more complex plant communities. As these plants die and decay, they help enrich the soil, supporting a wider variety of organisms.

This gradual progression from a lifeless environment to a more complex ecosystem exemplifies primary succession. The other options relate to ecological concepts but do not accurately define primary succession as understood in ecological studies.